Counties hit by hail seeking federal disaster declaration

The four counties hardest hit by the July 24 hailstorms in northeast Iowa have asked Gov. Chet Culver to seek a federal disaster declaration.

Supervisors in Winneshiek, Fayette and Delaware counties have passed resolutions urging the declaration, and the emergency management office in Clayton County has submitted a similar request.

A federal disaster declaration would make long-term, low-interest loans available to qualifying farmers through the Farm Service Agency.

Culver spokesman Phil Roeder said the FSA will meet Tuesday before making its final recommendation on areas to be included the disaster declaration request, which Culver will then forward to Tom Vilsack, secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The storms damaged corn, soybean and hay crops on about 400,000 acres in northeast Iowa and destroyed crops on about 40,000 acres in Delaware County, about 35,000 acres in Fayette County and about 20,000 acres in Clayton County, according to officials in those counties.

Estimates of the destruction in Winneshiek County were not available Wednesday.

The loss of forage for already struggling beef and dairy producers will likely put many of them out of business, Clayton County Supervisor Wayne Bockenstedt said.

Delaware County Supervisor Jeff Madlom said the storm has deprived many farmers of a year's profit.

Fayette County Supervisor Vicki Rowland said she fears the losses will affect the mental health and general well-being of many farm families.